CAN OUR BOYS BOX?

Observation Post, Volume 1, Issue 4, 12 June 1942, Page 1

CAN OUR BOYS BOX?

SOME GOOD FIGHTS Humourous Happenings There is no denying that the boxing bouts organised by Mr. Harvey last Wednesday evening disclosed that the Regiment has in it some sterling fighters. All the contests were keen and completely devoid of rancour, ine standard of boxing was well up to expectations and we can look forward to further evenings in the very near future. Mr. Harvey is to be congratulated upon the able manner in which the contests were staged, the men matche and his choice of assistants. , .. ;

Mr. . Geoff. Watchorn, late Australasian champion, now of Palmerston North, very kindly consented to act as referee in half the bouts, whilst Gunner W. Higgs, ex-Wellington, refereed the others. i i Major Flux was time-keeper (and tactfully so) judges, Lieuts. J. Fisher and R. Wright; seconds, Bdrs. Mountjoy and A. Wright. The guests'of honour were: The C. 0., Lieut.-Col. C. F. Lowe, Major lux, Messrs Geoff Watchorn, R. 11. Billens and E. R. Harris, Capt. Babbington, Lieuts. R. Wright, Durbin, Reid, Rees Thomas, Murray, Holmes and Kemp. Most of the bouts were so fast that the two ”O-pip” pressmen had difficulty in keeping their pencils cool, but here is a brief resume of each bout. First, bout— G. C. Burns (10.9 v.-Sgt. J. H. Graham). First round: Gnr. Burns had the advantage during the first round owing to his straight left and won a decisive technical knockout victory in the second round after a continuation of lefts. Sgt: Graham put up a good show and had the best of it on points for some of the way. He was a game looser. ' < Second —Gnr. A. -J. Miles (11.10) v. Gnr. T. C. Hoey (11.7): The first round of this bout opened very willingly and both men mixed it freely, Hoey sinking to the canvas twice. Both men traded punches in a style that appealed to the spectators. From the start of the second round it was obvious that both men were out for a decisive win. With only a few seconds to go Hoey won the bout by a technical knock-out by virtue of his straight punching. Third bout. Gnr.. J. E. Rasmussen (list.) v. Gnr. P. M. Church (list.): Although Church had a longer reach Rasmussen put up a good show. Church had a most punishing right hook which Rasmussen appeared to walk into. At the commencement of the second, round Rasmussen received a very solid right after which he threw in the towel.

What Happened ? Fourth bout.L/Bdr. J. O’Brien (9.7) v. Gnr. F. J. Pascoe (lOst.): The first round opened in a fast manner with Pascoe doing the punching. Both men showed a knowledge of the science of the game. O ’Brien displayed a good knowledge of defence. A very clean and even round. In the second round O’Brien opened out and landed a few real ‘‘snifters.” Both men fought fl good round, although stamina was fail; ing. O’Brien" enjoyed the bout anc rather lost'way by taking things toe easily. The third round showed that Pascoe was the better -man and upor being adjudged the winner he remark ed ‘‘Oh, gee! What happened?” A Good ’Un Fifth —L/Bdr. L. A. Jun< (10.10) v. Gnr. H. P. O’Connor (10.5) Both these men demonstrated that the* were fighting with a thorough know ledge of the game, ’Connor taking th, fighting as far as possible to his stoli< opponent. The first round was fair!; easy. The second round was a ver; wearying one for Juno, as O ’Conno slammed hard for the heart and fac< with obvious results on Juno. Botl men showed signs of the hard gruel ling. In the third round Juno put up : better fight, but O’Connor appeared t have the better of it for some time bu Juno won on points. Juno is to be con

gratulated for not losing heart when ’Connor had the barracking. Sixth bout.—-Sgt. C. E. McCulloch (9.6) v." Gnr. P. W.' Lindsay (9.2): McCulloch chased Lindsay severely, but Lindsay showed remarkable footwork. At one stage of the round McCulloch tripped the referee out of the ring. After the first minute Lindsay gave McCulloch severe punishment. Both men gave of their best and made it lively. The second round saw some clever exchanges, McCulloch being too prone to lower his head of which Lindsay took full advantage with a terrible right. The third round opened with both men -iill 4 verv. fit. McCulloch took some colossal punishing although when he did manage to’make contact, -Lindsay obviously felt it. Lindsay’s win on points was a popular one.

Burlesque Boxing

A feature of the evening was ■ the , comedy round — in. The contestants were Sgt?. Clapp, Casey and Bowman and 8/M. Still, Gnrs. Mcßride and Dudson, who entered the ring in battle array and well blindfolded. Neither “ref” was game to enter the ring with these professional pugs. Prior to ■ the contest Sgt. Clapp gave an exhibition which proved the Darwin theory. The only near ■ casualty was Lieut. Kemp. Sergt. Clapp, owing to his weight, stopped quite a number of solid ones, mostly on the posterior. Sergt. Bowman adopted a new technique whenever he managed to land a swift one, he made a neat somersault out of the ring. The whole three minutes was uproarious fun for the onlookers, although it is whispered that the Dah Dits were done out of a job as Sergt. Casey lost a molar. The result of the bout was: The sergeants and gunners beat the S/M. Seventh bout.— ?M. R. Taylor (9st.) v. L/Bdr. S. Cockburn (9.2): I These two settled down to real serious fighting from the first clang* of the gong. For spectacular fighting it would I be hard to pick the better man, but Cockburn used a handy left to good advantage. Taylor had difficulty with his footwork. The second round was just as willing, Taylor' landing some punishing blows the claret flowing freely from both men. Cockburn brought both hands to work in some pretty play. The final round moved fast, both men showing the effect of training and the audience eagerly awaited the judge’s decision which went to Gnr. Taylor on points. Eighth bout—Gnr. A. F. Juno (10.4) v. Gnr. C. J. Cursons (10.2): The first round was very free, both men mixing it well Happy Cursons landed several very solid body blows, whilst Juno concentrated on the face. In the second round both men showed signs of weakening. Juno showed cleverness with his in-fighting and landed many telling blows to the face. Both men tried hard for a decisive blow in the third round, both being thrown through the ropes. Juno was adjudged the winner. Exhibition Bout A fine exhibition bout between C. Murphy (list.) and W. Higgs (lOst.) was well received, W. Higgs being the holder': of four championships in Wellington and C. Murphy one. Both men made it willing and demonstrated a number of clever points.’ At the con-

elusion -of the first round both men were still fit and smiling. Footwork was a particular feature of this round on the part of both men. The second round was a repetition of the first — good fighting. Ninth bout.Gnr. J. K. Marshall (11.7) v. Sgt. W. Downs (12st.): In the first round weight told, although both men put up a fine showing In the opening of the second round, which was short, both men took plenty. of punishment, Downs having the advantage. The third round opened with some fine slamming by Marshall whose failing was allowing Downs to get in close. Sergt. Downs was adjudged the winner. ‘ ’